Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

The ones continue to play some decent hockey but need to achieve more from their periods of fluency and pressure. Lewes made us pay and although they deserved to win, 4-1 (our goal from a The Lip drag-flick) was harsh.

The important thing about the 2’s was they won and 3 more points away from the bottom 3, the performance though left a lot to be desired (according to my unnamed Podge-like source) against a 10-man GX side that were deservedly 1-up at the break. Karan and I believe Jas scored the goals.

The 3’s Gordon Bennett if you are squeamish, look away now, I wish I had cos I watched the whole thing as we conspired to hand GX 2’s their first and almost certainly only points this season. I almost hope we were bribed to lose…all we can do is ensure we learn from the game and apply the lessons to this coming week. We are playing Leighton Buzzard who are just above us so I will hopefully be a happier bunny next week.

The 4’s did very well against the top team in the league, Brunel University who are leagues below where they should be. They breezed into a 3-0 lead before a nice move involving Jim B, me and Chris Lunn set up Shane Smith who still had a bit to do but reverse-sticked home. Soon after, a similar nice team move gave Adesh a chance and his zippy flick was clawed away brilliantly by their keeper. 2^nd half we were under a lot of pressure but coped very well with it, Doggers did very well but Dom Hillman had a barnstormer (?)of a game, absolutely fantastic…and it was a real team achievement to keep it at 3-1…

Again 5’s played well against a decent Marlow team and lost 4-0 – good to Mark Bell back in action Ding Dong!!!

Ladies League Hockey 12/2/11
Middlesex Premier
ASHFORD 1st XI 2 v STAINES 3rd XI 2
Sunshine greeted both teams for the local derby between Ashford Ladies first team and Staines third’s at Short Lane on Saturday. Once again the Red & Blacks had to make changes as regular goalkeeper SAM GRANT was still injured, and with the Ashford two’s having an important relegation game, outfield player and part time goalkeeper, KIM DOWNS bravely donned the pads, kickers and helmet. Regular squad players POLLY SHOEBRIDGE, LUCY UTTLEY and KELLY TAYLOR returned to the squad, but skipper PHIL WORSFOLD was absent due to overseas business commitments. The start of the match was delayed due to the men’s game before it, and it was the visitors Staines who started a lot the better of the two teams. They put the Red & Blacks defence under pressure from the start and obtained a short corner within the first two minutes of play. Ashford kept them at bay though when WENDY BAKER deflected one shot by the near post whilst deputy goalkeeper KIM DOWNS did well to smother the visitors other shots on goal. KIM also delivered some good, strong clearance kicks. After the early pressure by Staines, Ashford exerted some of their own and a good run by the ever dangerous LUCY UTTLEY, saw her shot go across the face of the Staines goal. Evergreen Red & Blacks forward JACKIE PARSONS also harassed the visitor’s defence and secured a couple of short corners, but none were converted as Ashford still weren’t really firing on all cylinders. Another Staines attack resulted in one of their forwards having a contretemp with an Ashford defender on the edge of the Red & Blacks circle. Some pushing and shoving followed and as result, both players were shown a yellow card and banished to the sidelines for 10-20 minutes cooling off period.

The sending offs changed the nature of the game and although NICKY BENEDICT went close for Ashford, the scoring was opened by Staines following a good run on the right. A straight strike from another short corner not long after saw the visitors go further ahead by 2 goals to 0. As both sides returned to a full complement of players before half time, Ashford secured another short corner, but were unable to find their true rhythm or the flowing team work of the previous few league games and went into the break two goals down.

Not surprisingly, Coach JEREMY CARTER gave the Ashford squad a strong talking to at half time and they came out a lot more determined in the second half. Despite playing better, the Red & Blacks were not able to penetrate the solid Staines defence in the third quarter of the game. They kept at it though and eventually JACKIE PARSONS was able to find the back of the net and pull back the score to 1-2. Further Ashford pressure saw a Staines foot stopping an Ashford shot on the line and sweeper HOLLY BUSBY confidently strode up to convert it to make the scores even at 2-2. The Red & Blacks were now well into their stride and a similar incident in the Staines goalmouth a few minutes later, saw the Red & Blacks being awarded a second penalty flick. Once again Kiwi HOLLY BUSBY took it, but this time she was unable to get as much force into her flick and the veteran Staines keeper saved it. The game then rather petered out and the score remained at 2-2.

Next week Ashford have a long trip to North London to face Winchmore Hill & Enfield 1st XI, who are one place above the Red & Blacks in the league. It will be a tough game, with all to play for, as Ashford strives to move up to fourth place i.e. above their north London opposition.

Team: K. Downs (GK), S. Smart, E. Hynes, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, P. Shoebridge, N. Benedict, H. Busby, C.Emmerton, J. Parsons, K. Taylor, L. Uttley

Ladies League Hockey 5/2/11
Middlesex Premier
TEDDINGTON 3rd XI 0 v ASHFORD 1st XI 3
Ashford Ladies 1st team had another away game on Saturday, but it was only at close neighbours Teddington, where they faced Teddington 3rd team. For a great variety of reasons, at least five of the regular Red & Blacks normal first team squad were unavailable to play, and with the second team having a vital relegation away match, coach JEREMY CLARKE had no option but to rearrange things. Experienced players SARAH SYMES, JACKIE PARSONS and previously retired goalkeeper ALI BOXELL were brought in, and newcomer CHLOE RUSSELL brought up from the third team for her debut. In addition, former Ashford regular from several seasons ago, MEL CARRIER, was around to put in a rare, but very welcome, Ashford appearance. The forced changes did not seem to upset the other regular squad players though and the Red & Blacks started brightly from the start and took control of the game from the midfield. Stalwart EMMA HYNES was combining well with her other new midfield partners, MEL CARRIER and SARAH SYMES to create many chances for the Ashford front line. The effervescent NICKY BENEDICT was busy and thrust full as ever down the left flank, and both NICKY and front runner CLAIRE EMMERTON had chances to open the scoring in the first quarter of the game, but none were converted. Not surprisingly the Red & Blacks pressure resulted in them gaining several short corners and unfortunately initially the new routines didn’t work as well as previously. Ashford kept going though and veteran JACKIE PARSONS managed to slot the ball home cleverly from one, when she spotted that the Teddington goalkeeper had gone down early anticipating one of JACKIE’S thunderbolt strikes, and she neatly lifted the ball over her and into the net. The 1-0 lead boosted Ashford’s spirits and they continued to play good hockey until the interval.

After the change the Red & Blacks continued to cope with any attacks mounted by the young Teddington forward’s, with the ever reliable pair of SOPHIE SMART and HOLLY BUSBY thwarting any raids on the Ashford circle. Full back WENDY BAKER was also helping to stifle many of the Teddington attacking moves and helping to protect Ashford goalkeeper ALI BOXELL from any would be marauding home team forwards. Up front, newcomer CHLOE RUSSELL was brought on to run at the Teddington defence and help force home the Red & Blacks superiority. The continued Red & Blacks pressure eventually saw an EMMA HYNES strike rebound off the home team keeper and forward CLAIRE EMMERTON was on hand to pounce and put the ball home, and make the score 2-0 to Ashford. The hard working JACQUI BASHFORD then added a third to give Ashford a well deserved victory and three more league points. MEL CARRIER was voted player of the match for Ashford and the win moves the Red & Blacks back up to fifth place in the Premier league.

Next week Ashford have a local derby game, when they are at home at twelve noon, to local rivals Staines thirds, who are two places below them in the league. It should be an intriguing encounter with a lot of familiar faces and friendly rivals facing each other once again, in a League match with all to play for.

Team: A Boxell (GK), S. Smart, E. Hynes, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, S. Symes, N. Benedict, H. Busby, C.Emmerton, C. Russell, M. Carrier, J. Parsons

Ashford Hockey Club Mixed U8 & Girls U12 Mini Tournaments 6th February 2011
Ashford Colts had some good results this Sunday with a first place for Girls U12 and 2nd place for Mixed U8s.
The mixed team was away at Woking mini tournament playing 5 games in total, 4 against Woking teams and 1 against Teddington with 3 wins and 2 losses and coming 2nd overall. Lily Elms captained the team and was joined by Luke Jacob, Jake Meads, Sophie Meads, Lucy Jennings, Sophie Jennings, Reece Sharma, Ben Bricker and Steph Botwell. All played well on the day but in particular Coach/Manager Gordon Smith reported that Lily Elms and Steph Botwell stood out.
They won their first 2 games against Teddington and Woking 1-0 with Luke Jacob and Reece Sharma (his first ever goal) scoring 1 in each. The third game against Woking resulted in a 1 – 0 loss but went on to win their 4th game 2-0 against Woking with Steph Botwell and Luke Jacobs as goal scorers. Their last game resulted in a 2-0 loss against Woking’s strongest team. The guys at times played some slick stuff and put a lot of effort in – playing 5 10-minute games one after the other was tough for all of them but they rose to the challenge. Well done!!

U12 girls had many players missing through sickness and unavailability and as a result 3 U10 girls made their debut and played exceptionally well. They were away at Old Kingstonians and won both their games 3-0.
Lauren Clarey captained the side and was joined by Amber Ollington in goal, Harriet Prothero, Molly Davis, Hannah Merchant, Jessica Jacobs and Caitlin Davis. The first game against a good Old Kingstonians side was a bit scrappy but Hannah Merchant managed to score 2 goals, 1 from a quick self pass and run into the D which caught the opposition off guard. Molly Davis got the 3rd goal from some neat passing. The second game against Spencer was much more structured with the team keeping to their positions and moving and passing the ball around. Jessica Jacob’s found herself in lots of space on the left wing and with some fine passes from the team was able to receive the ball inside the D scoring her first hat trick in her debut match for the U12s (normally an U10 player). There were lots of opportunities for further shots on goal but some good defending from the opposition.

Sam Clarey (U12 Colts Coach/Manager)

Ladies League Hockey 29/1/11
Middlesex Premier

HAMPSTEAD & WESTMINSTER 3rd XI 3 v ASHFORD 1st XI 0
Ashford Ladies first team travelled with almost a full squad to Paddington on Saturday to face second in the league side Hampstead & Westminster third’s. In bitterly cold lunch time conditions, the Red & Blacks struggled to cope with both the slightly bouncy water based, astro turf pitch and the very fit and skill full opposition; who were a much improved side to the one Ashford faced in the first part of the season. A well taken goal from open play saw Hampstead & Westminster take the lead fairly early in the game and midway through the first half, they added another via a reverse sweep goal to leave Ashford 2-0 down. The Red & Blacks had started to settle though and adapted well to the pitch and brought themselves much more into the game. Despite Ashford playing some good hockey, they were unable to find the back of the net even though they executed some well worked short corners and stronger moves in open play. They thus went into the interval trailing 2-0.

A very inspiring team talk by Ashford coach JEREMY CLARKE and a change of formation back to the diamond format in mid field saw the Red & Blacks come out and play much better in the second half. They started to control their game and the play a lot more, and a fine KIM DOWNS shot hit the post and unluckily bounced back into open play rather than into the back of the net. They gained a few more short corners, but they didn’t flow as smoothly as last week’s ones. The ever trying KIM DOWNS was the thwarted by the Hampstead & Westminster keeper when she was set free in a breakaway one to one situation. Ashford kept going as a team though, but a further good goal by the fit and fast home team from open play made the score a slightly unjustified 3-0. Ashford battled on gamely with player of the match HOLLY BUSBY and her fellow defenders sticking to their tasks and players well. The Ashford midfielders and strikers were also working hard to get an opening goal for the Red & Blacks to enable them to get back into the game. It was not to be though and the final score remained at 3-0 to Hampstead & Westminster, the defeat and other results in the league resulting in Ashford slipping down a place to sixth in the Premier league table.

The rub of the green seems against Ashford at the moment, and they were unlucky not to score at least two goals in the tough game. However, another good performance against a very strong Hampstead & Westminster team gave both the squad and coach JEREMY CLARKE confidence in the way the team are playing. Next week they have to travel to Teddington to face the Club’s third team who are two places below the Red & Blacks in the league. If the high standards of Saturday’s performance (especially in the second half) can be maintained, then a Ashford’s fifth league win of the season should be achievable.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, P. Worsfold, E. Hynes, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, , N. Benedict, H. Busby, C.Emmerton, P. Shoebridge, K. Taylor, K. Downs, L. Uttley

Results for the Men have looked up in the last 2 weeks – even for the 1’s who have lost both games. The 1’s lost 4-3 to Henley (Jimmy Webber scored 2 and my eyesight is going cos I managed to confuse Justin with Rhino and now my memory is going cos I can’t remember which one I mistook for who! Anyway one of ‘em scored) and yesterday they conceded a very late goal to lose to an impressive Eastbourne team 3-1. The things to concentrate on are the performances by the teams and the closeness of the results – the first round of games were not close. We have a lot of new (and a bit rusty) players and it is not surprising that they are tiring towards the end of games. We do have time to turn things round though and need to keep our form and confidence and we will be fine.

The 2’s had one good ‘un and one bad ‘un. They lost 3-1 to Henley with MattE scoring a bobbly equaliser but got what they deserved, nothing…but bounced back in a game they really needed to win beating Slough 3-1 and going above them. Crabhands got 2 and a Darren Adams a shortie straight off the training pitch (sarcasm alert).

Similar for the 3’s – week before we played an MK 3’s team who are more than useful and for a change we did play well in the first half and held them to 1-0 and really competed. 2^nd half we built on this and pushed MK back a bit though Croxster was still very busy in goal and equalised midway through the half. Ryan Dare did some excellent work ferreting his way through the right to cross, Gordo got a deflection, off the keeper and Shaunie was in the right place to put it away. The last 20 mins were great fun but very hard, all the team played their part and Ryan in goal pulled off a spectacular airborne stick save from their lad who could really flick the ball, and we held on for 1-all. Great result and performance and why we play the game and turn up every/most weeks!

This week was disappointing…if we’d played like we had the week before….but we didn’t…and we were up against the best 4^th team in the universe (West Hampstead) and going 3-0 down pretty early didn’t help either!! Lost 4-1 with an Amster shortie.

The fours finally won a game! 2-1 against BA (and Teto again!!). Adamski short put us in the lead before the zippy Shane got the winner. Fantastic and off the bottom! Week before, they did very well to hold MK 4’s (and their ex-National League player) to 4 goals.

The 5’s lost an entertaining game to Staines this week 5-3 (with the not-very-zippy Peter Cottrell getting a hat-trick) (and Ram getting himself sent off cos he needed a rest). Week before, we beat Eastcote (did the double!) 4-0, I know Weapon X got the 4^th but can’t remember the others, sorry

Anyway that is 3 wins and a draw, for us that is a heck of a return!!

Ladies League Hockey 22/1/11
Middlesex Premier

ASHFORD 1st XI 2 v SOUTHGATE 3rd XI 1
Ashford Ladies first team faced Southgate third’s for their first home League game of 2011. Kiwi Full back KIM FRY returned to the squad after her holiday down under, as did regular KELLY TAYLOR and veteran JACKIE PARSONS; whilst HANNAH GALLAGHER was given her first team debut on the bench after an injury to NICKY BENEDICT late in the week. Regulars KIM DOWNS and LUCY UTTLEY were also missing. The chilly Saturday lunch time weather didn’t dampen the Red & Blacks spirits and they started very brightly, with the team combining well, and JACKIE PARSONS causing the visitors problems up front. The pressure eventually saw Ashford gaining a short corner which was injected by JAQUI BASHFORD out to EMMA HYNES who took a shot at goal that was picked up and put in the net by KELLY TAYLOR on the right, to give the Red & Blacks the lead 1-0. Ashford remained in the driving seat for the next ten minutes or so and gained further short corners and were unlucky not to convert either of them, As the half drew to a close, the visitors made a few attacks of their own, but the Ashford back three of PHIL WORSFOLD, HOLLY BUSBY and SOPHIE SMART remained as solid as ever and thwarted all the Southgate attacks. Thus Ashford duly protected their 1-0 lead until the interval.

The second half started as spritely as the first, but it was the Southgate who started strongly this time and dominated play for the opening ten minutes or so. The Red & Blacks battled well though and some neat stick skills by JACKIE PARSONS saw them gain a short corner.
Ashford used another one of Coach JEREMY CLARKE’S well practised routines, with JACQUI BASHFOD injecting on the right to EMMA HYNES who pushed the ball back to JACQUI, who slotted the ball across to the incoming HOLLY BUSBY, who shot first time to notch Ashford’s second goal. The two goal lead encouraged the Red & Blacks and they played some good hockey with centre midfielder WENDY BAKER and midfielder KELLY TAYLOR amongst others who were combing well. Another short corner for Ashford saw HOLLY BUSBY go close with a fine shot. Southgate then played some good hockey of their own, and a flowing move was finished off with a goal following a strong shot that beat the Ashford keeper, and brought them right back into the game with score being 2-1 The Red & Blacks remained calm though and once more threatened the Southgate goal. Cracking shots by both JACKIE PARSONS and then EMMA HYNES were somehow kept at bay and cleared by the visitor’s goalkeeper and/or defenders, and so the score remained at 2-1 to Ashford.

Left midfielder EMMA HYNES was deservedly voted player of the match in what was a very solid performance by Ashford, and the three points gained moved them up to fifth place in the league. Next week the squad have to travel to Paddington to face Hampstead & Westminster third team who are currently second in the League. However, the Red & Blacks drew with them earlier in the season and on current form, there is no reason they shouldn’t be able to secure another victory and continue their progress up the league.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, P. Worsfold, E. Hynes, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, K Fry, H. Gallagher, H. Busby, C.Emmerton, P. Shoebridge, K. Taylor, J Parsons

Saturday 8/1/11

It was a return to hockey for the Ashford teams yesterday and the Ladies first team had a friendly game whilst the second and third teams had rearranged League games. The first team were at home to an Amersham & Chalfont St Peter team comprised of mainly second and third team players, and the Red & Blacks won 5-1. Ashford were 2-0 up at half time through a converted penalty flick from Holly Busby and an excellent team goal put in the net by Kelly Taylor. Lucy Uttley scored two in the second half, whilst Nicky Benedict added the other. It was a good warm up game played in a friendly spirit before the Red & Blacks return to league action next Saturday, away to Hendon and Mill Hill 1st team next, who are two places below in the League.

The second team were the star side of the day as they thrashed bottom of the League side Eastcote 4’s, at Ashford by the big margin of 11-0. The Red & Blacks had a strong side out which is settling into the new formation introduced by Club coach Jeremy Clarke and the game was won by half time when the Red & Blacks were 6-0 up The goal scorers were Gillian Clegg 4, Clair Emmerton 3, Hannah Stokes 2, Tracey Holland 1 and Becky Hewes 1. Unfortunately the third team suffered another heavy defeat, losing 6-0 away to PHC Chiswick fifth team. Next week both the second and third teams have tough away games against the teams placed second and top of their respective Divisions.

Disappointing week generally although one standout result for the 2’s. The 1’s resumed their league campaign against fellow strugglers, Ashford (Kent) and went one-up from a short corner conversion by Phil the Lip – unfortunately the visitors came back strongly and were 3-1 up at half time with the final score 5-1 as we chased the game. The enforced break probably didn’t help us here.

The 2’s had a fantastic result against Eastcote 3’s who are in the top 4 – we didn’t concede early and confidence increased when their defence could not cope with the blistering pace of Podge – his shot was parried and Shaggy did his batty-boy hit to put us 1-up. Although they equalised just before the half time whistle, our boys kept their shape and good form and were rewarded late on when Fry finished from close range. A superb result, which moves us up into mid-table – well done, lads!

The 3’s were a bit disappointing …Eastcote were nippy and inventive and played the ball round us for much of the game, they dominated the first half and we were 4 down and couldn’t complain. The second half we got into the game and played some decent stuff and we drew the half 2 apiece, Rishi finished off a very nice team move and Gordo scored from a short corner rebound. The 3’s and the 4’s who lost 6-0 probably do need a break now and make sure they are refreshed and ready for 8 Jan resumption.

The 5’s did great too beating GX 3’s 5-3, more than doubling their goal tally!!! Weapon Alpha got one, don’t know about the others

Ladies League Hockey 11/12/10
Middlesex Premier
ASHFORD 1st XI 2 v WEST HAMPSTEAD 2nd XI 0Ashford Ladies first team returned to League action on Saturday after a week’s break due to the snowy weather. They had a rearranged home game against the team three places below in the League, West Hampstead 2nd XI. Coach JEREMY CLARKE had almost a full squad to chose from and was able to introduce former long time first team Captain and skill full midfielder, NICKY BENEDICT back to the squad after her recent maternity break. Despite most of the squad attending the Ladies Christmas dinner in Windsor the night before and the match having a 10.30 am push back, the Red & blacks started spritely enough. In fact after only three minutes they had opened the scoring following one of their initial forays into the visitors half. Acting Skipper JACQUI BASHFORD showed some good determination in front of goal and she prodded the ball home to put the Red & Blacks 1-0 ahead. The goal helped settle Ashford down and although one or two players were not playing their best, they all worked hard and combined well to take the game to the visitors. West Hampstead gradually began to counter though and had several chances and short corners of their own, and the game remained fairly even territorially for the next twenty minutes or so of the half. However, another Ashford attack resulted in NICKY BENEDICT marking her return to first team action by poking the ball home from close in following some messy hockey in the visitor’s circle, with what was almost her first touch of the game. Again West Hampstead rallied and they gained a penalty flick after their shot from a short corner was stopped by an Ashford defender’s foot on the goal line. The flick was not well struck though and the Red & Blacks keeper SAM GRANT was easily able to save it and to keep the score at 2-0 to Ashford.

A further flurry of activity from Ashford saw LUCY UTTLEY picking up a good pass from the ever reliable EMMA HYNES near the top of the visitors circle and her slotting the ball home to make the score 3-0 to the home side. LUCY quickly followed this up with one of her trade mark speedy and mazy dribbles, to set up her partner in crime KIM DOWNS with an easy chance to convert. KIM safely netted to put the Red & Blacks 4-0 up and the game almost beyond the visitors reach. The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with both teams creating chances and securing short corners, with perhaps the visitors being the slightly more dominant side, but no real power finishing by either side. Two thirds through the second half, the Red & Blacks were awarded a penalty flick of their own following an infringement by a West Hampstead defender. Kiwi sweeper HOLLY BUSBY elected to take it and flicked the ball into the net by the right post, but unfortunately she had initially done a double movement on the ball, so it was disallowed. This seemed to slightly deflate both teams and the rest of the half also remained goalless, making the final result a very creditable and pleasing 4-0 victory for the Red & Blacks. The whole team was voted ‘player of the match’ as the squad had performed well together in somewhat ‘hung over’ circumstances. The Ladies now have a Christmas break, as their next League game isn’t until January 15th, but training recommences on January 5th and they are hoping to have a friendly game on 8th January. The first half of the season sees the Red & Blacks sitting 6th in the Premier Division, with three wins, two draws and four (mainly narrow) defeats to their name, and having scored a creditable 22 goals, but worryingly conceded 18. Coach JEREMY CLARKE and the squad will be striving to at least maintain and hopefully improve their record in 2011.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, K. Fry, E. Hynes, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, K. Taylor, L. Uttley, H. Busby, G. Clegg, P. Shoebridge, K. Downs, N. Benedict

The 2’s continued their slow and steady improvement earning a well-deserved 1-all draw with Maidenhead. A win out of their next 2 games will probably put us in to mid-table and set us up for the 2^nd half of the season.

The 3’s were young even by this season’s standards with Robbie being 4^th oldest at 18. We lost 5-2 and made it very difficult for ourselves with a few soft goals – despite this, at times we played some very enterprising and skilful hockey and certainly made COO work for their win – the boys always put the effort in! Rishi G flicked in a shortie to make it 3-1 but their 4^th goal did for us and new player Perm (Rishi’s pop) smacked in our second late on from another shortie – thinking about it Perm shoulda curled it in.

4’s played a useful Bracknell 2’s – good game despite the freezing conditions but they were just a bit too good for us netting 7 goals

Ladies League Hockey 27/11/10
Middlesex Premier

ASHFORD 1st XI 1 v HAMPSTEAD & WESTMINSTER 4th XI 5
Despite the icy conditions prevalent everywhere on Saturday, the pitch at Ashford Hockey Club was more than fit to play on at noon, when the Ladies 1st team faced third in the table team Hampstead & Westminster 4th XI. Ashford had a large squad of fourteen players, with only one or two of the regular squad members missing. The visiting team had arrived at Ashford’s Short Lane ground early and they seemed to be warmed up and ready for the game more than the Red & Blacks were initially. From the off Hampstead & Westminster threatened the Ashford goal and within the first ten minutes of play they had gained some short corners and had several shots on the Ashford goal. It was only cool play by Ashford’s Kiwi full back KIM FRY that kept them at bay on one attack, when she stopped and cleared the ball off the Red & Blacks goal line. Eventually Ashford were able to break into the visitors half and KELLY TAYLOR managed a good run and shot on goal, but the visitors soon started to dominate the play again. Another decisive attack from the Hampstead & Westminster’s forwards, saw their first shot half cleared and them netting the rebound to take a 1-0 lead. The Red & Blacks rallied a little though, but after thirty minutes of play, they got caught flat footed when two of the visitor’s forwards swiftly broke clean away and secured their second goal of the game, when they were able to round the stranded Ashford keeper. The score remained at 2-0 nil to the visitors until half time.

The Red & Blacks started the second half on a high note, when speedy and in form forward LUCY UTTLEY went on a skill full run down the left. LUCY cut across into the visitors circle and slotted the ball home to bring Ashford right back into the game, with the score being 1-2 to the visitors. Unfortunately the visitors hit straight back and within minutes, they had gained another short corner which wasn’t properly cleared by the Ashford defence, and Hampstead & Westminster hammered the ball home to go 3-1 up. The Red & Blacks fought back though, and were unlucky not to score from a well struck short corner by sweeper HOLLY BUSBY. Ashford then should have also scored from a well worked short corner routine, but failed to slot the ball home from close in. Once again the visitors retaliated quickly and went 4-1 up from rather a weak shot. Ashford tried once again to get back into the game when a scorching short corner strike by HOLLY BUSBY was stopped illegally by a visitors defender, and the Red & Blacks were awarded a penalty flick. Acting skipper JACQUI BASHFORD stepped up to take it, but it was easily saved by the visitor’s keeper. As the Red & Blacks tired, Hampstead & Westminster gained several more short corners, converting one to make the score 5-1 in their favour. The Red & Blacks managed one final attack when forward GILLIAN CLEGG went on a good run, but she was thwarted by solid Hampstead & Westminster defence, so the final score was 5-1 to the visitors, and thus Ashford suffered their heaviest defeat of the season so far. Another consistent performance by full back SOPHIE SMART made her the Red & Blacks player of the match.

Next week, the Red & Blacks play their last League game in 2010, and they are at home at 1.30 pm to second from bottom team West Hampstead 2nd XI. The club, squad and coach will be hoping that Saturday’s game was a one-off and that the Red & Blacks Ladies first team will finish the first of the League season on a winning note.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, K. Fry, E. Hynes, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, K. Taylor, L. Uttley, H. Busby, B Hewes, G. Clegg, P Worsfold, K. Downs, B. Smith

Christmas, Diwali, Hanukah, Ramadan and Halloween came early (or late) as the 1’s got their first points, giving their supporters palpitations while doing so, and the 2’s and 3’s also drew to improve their league standing…a memorable day for us given the last couple of seasons!

Chiswick Poly were the designated whipping boys – also struggling this season and having watched most of the game we were good value for the win. Alex Betts settled our nerves early on finishing off a Grainger meander through their D from a long corner and play was fairly even with Justin marauding around the pitch like an out-of-control bull (except that is being a bit harsh on the bull)…he certainly puts the wind up spectators so don’t know what he does to the oppo…

2nd half and we got another! 2-0 up through the improvising Jazz!! Then some Twilight Zone play and defence from both teams saw us give up a poor goal then their defender unaccountably passed the ball straight to Justin in the D and he reversed it home and went on a celebration sprint like a tubby Usain Bolt that must have knackered him. We then gave up another poor goal to irritate BBM (ok me too) but then their keeper in trying to stop a longie kicked the ball outside the D!! Off he went and Phil the Lip lashed home our 4^th to seal the win! Great stuff and sets us up for another 6-pointer with Epsom this week

The 2’s had a great game against Banbury and produced the first draw of the whole league – backs to the wall for a fair amount of the game they also had their moments but another point moves us out of the bottom two.

The 3’s had a great game against Wokingham 2’s who are the first team to match the pace of our side. We didn’t play particularly well first half, we took the lead against the run of play when Ryan made a barnstorming run into the D and his shot looped up off Robbie’s back, bounced over the keeper for Ryan to push home and their umpire gave it! They equalised straightaway and then we conceded a poor second. Second half we really got the bit between our teeth and shaded the game deserving our equaliser from an Angry short.. We could have won it at the end but have to be happy with the score and 2^nd half performance. We do have a habit of starting slowly and handing the initiative to the oppo and need to work on this if we want to avoid continually chasing the game. Even so, a very young team are doing exceptionally well in a difficult league. The 4’s lost 3-0 to Maidenhead Magicians.

Ladies League Hockey 20/11/10
Middlesex Premier
PHC CHISWICK 1st XI 3 v ASHFORD 1st XI 2
Ashford Ladies first team were missing a few of their more experienced players for their tough match away to top of the table and unbeaten side PHC Chiswick first team, on Saturday. A squad of twelve was selected by Coach JEREMY CARTER, but unfortunately goalkeeper SAM GRANT got delayed in the heavy Twickenham bound traffic on her way to the game, and the Red & Blacks had to start the game with full back SOPHIE SMART as stand-in goalkeeper. Ashford played calmly though and GRANT arrived shortly after the start, and was able to get kitted out and take her position between the sticks after less than five minutes of play. From the start, the home team played with two up front and worked the ball across the back, down the flanks when possible and into the Ashford circle, where if they couldn’t get a shot in, they looked for a short corner. In fact they gained several corners in the opening ten minutes of play and utilised different routines each time. They eventually broke through the Red & Blacks solid defence with a neat short corner move, to go 1-0 ahead. Although the League leaders continued to press, Ashford were playing well and were getting into PHC Chiswick’s half on many occasions, with some thrust full, direct runs from LUCY UTTLEY in particular. One such run saw one of LUCY’S shot being parried by the home team keeper, but the ball rebounded to her and she slotted it home just inside the far post, to level the score 1-1. The goal encouraged Ashford as the League leaders had previously only conceded one goal in their six matches played so far this season. As the Red & Blacks pushed forward, midfielders EMMA HYNES, JACQUI BASHFORD and WENDY BAKER joined in the attacks and a good run by sweeper HOLLY BUSBY was only stopped illegally by a Chiswick defender on their 25 yard line, and she received a green card for her efforts. As the half drew to close, Ashford were slightly on top in what had been a close exciting half of hockey; but they suffered a cruel blow when almost the last action of the half saw PHC Chiswick secure a short corner from which their first shot was saved but the follow up shot wasn’t and they somewhat luckily took a lead by 2 goals to 1.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first and for the first fifteen minutes of play, the Red & Blacks continued to play well and put the home team on the back foot. Despite PHC Chiswick having a couple more attacks on goal; it was Ashford who scored next. It was a good team move which saw EMMA HYNES playing a swift through ball to LUCY UTTLEY, who slotted it home to score her second goal of the game and the equaliser for Ashford. Both teams then pushed forward for the winning goal and with ten minutes left of play, PHC Chiswick attacked down the right and played the ball across the Ashford circle
from the back line, which Ashford failed to clear and a home team forward slotted it home from the left, to make the score 3-2 to the home side. The Red & Blacks rallied though and in the close minutes of the game, a sweeping move involving KELLY TAYLOR and the ever running LUCY UTTLEY on the left saw the ball crossed through the home side’s circle to the right where there were a couple of free Ashford players, but neither was able to get a shot in. Thus PHC Chiswick retained their unbeaten record, but they were pushed all the way by an ever improving Ashford side, which were unlucky to suffer another rather narrow defeat. Next week, the Red & Blacks are at home at 12 noon to Hampstead and Westminster 4th XI, who are three places above them in the League. However, if Ashford can play to the same high standard again next week, success is bound to come.

Team: S. Grant (GK), S. Smart, , K. Fry, E. Hynes, J. Bashford (Skipper), W. Baker, K. Taylor, H. Siwek, L. Uttley, H. Busby, P. Shoebridge, K. Downs